Background of Corona Virus
It is a respiratory disease that was first detected in China at
the end of December 2019. It is caused by a new coronavirus whose outbreak was
firstly observed in Wuhan city of China. And it became more severe in very less
time in more locations internationally. The virus has given the name
"SARS-CoV-2" (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and the
disease caused by virus stated as "coronavirus disease-2019"
abbreviated as " COVID-19 "by WHO. Around, a total of 75,465 COVID-19
cases were reported only in china as of 20 February 2020.
The Virus
Coronavirus is a zoonotic virus. A zoonotic disease is an
infectious disease caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites that find
their routes from vertebrates(nonhuman animals ) to humans. Some examples
of zoonosis are- Ebola virus and Salmonellosis. Simply, these viruses
are exchanged between animals and humans.
A coronavirus is a group of a large family of the virus which is
most common in humans and many different species of animals like camel, cattle,
cats, and bats. Animal coronaviruses can get combined with a human because of
direct contact or transmission ( as China is having a seafood market or live
animal market making an easy way for the animal-to-human spread). As per
reports, the main source or origin of this "SARS-CoV-2"
virus possibly be "bats".
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This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2—also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19—isolated from a patient in the U.S. Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like.
Credit: NIAID-RML
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Symptoms
As coronaviruses are a large family of viruses
causing illness ranging from minute cold to more severe
diseases like this novel (new) coronavirus also called nCoV.Common
indication towards infection include respiratory symptoms as that for a cold
are-
- Fever.
- Cough.
- Uneasiness in breathing.
In more severe cases, symptoms are:-
- Pneumonia.
- SARS(Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
- Kidney failure and even death.
In case of any of these symptoms, do visit the
nearby hospitals for consulting doctors and take tests so as to have a clear
view. And do avoid public gatherings if suspected.
Routes of transmission
- In general, human-to-human transmission of the COVID-19 virus is mainly due to close unprotected contact between contagious disease and infected(within 6 feet).
- When an infected person sneezes or coughs the respiratory droplets that infected person-produced is directly inhaled by another person within 6 feet and hence it enters the lungs of a healthy person.
- Contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.
Recommendation and advice for the public by WHO
Some standard
recommendations for the prevention of this infection spread include-
- Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing, so as to avoid transmission of bacteria or virus from person-to-person.
- Do avoid contact or close contact with any person showing signs of respiratory problems like coughing and sneezing primarily.
- Gently cook meat and eggs. Don't go for half-raw or half-cooked meat or any type of seafood nearby epicenter city of an outbreak or in any affected region.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and ears frequently.
- Avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
- Lastly, don't panic in this kind of situation. Do follow prevention measures, but don't blindly follow unnecessary myths for prevention.
Common Questions
Q1. Can Someone Spread
the Virus without being Sick?
Ans Yes, It is true that someone may spread the virus without being
Sick. There are some cases in which a person spread before showing the symptoms
of this new coronavirus.
Q2. How Easily the Virus
Spreads?
- How much Contagious?
- How much Sustainable?
The
virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be highly contagious i.e
spreading easily and it also sustainably spreading in the
community.
Q3. Did we want a medical certificate
to show in airports that we are not affected by coronavirus?
Ans The
answer is No, there will be a check at the airport where
All
incoming passengers will be investigated and then they will separate the
infected for further treatment. Whenever our immune system finds any harmful
bacteria or virus it starts increasing body temperature or cold, cough, etc.
These symptoms will be detected by thermal scanners at the airport. It is not
compulsory that every one those separated out have COVID-19 for sure and those
who pass the check all are infection-free. Because coronavirus can only be
detected in the lab.
